US11306692B2 - Outboard engine - Google Patents

Outboard engine Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US11306692B2
US11306692B2 US17/091,142 US202017091142A US11306692B2 US 11306692 B2 US11306692 B2 US 11306692B2 US 202017091142 A US202017091142 A US 202017091142A US 11306692 B2 US11306692 B2 US 11306692B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
engine
water
outboard engine
intake passage
outboard
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
US17/091,142
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20210140396A1 (en
Inventor
Nobuyuki Shomura
Akinori Yamazaki
Sho ISHIZAKI
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Suzuki Motor Corp
Original Assignee
Suzuki Motor Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Suzuki Motor Corp filed Critical Suzuki Motor Corp
Assigned to SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION reassignment SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ISHIZAKI, SHO, SHOMURA, NOBUYUKI, YAMAZAKI, AKINORI
Publication of US20210140396A1 publication Critical patent/US20210140396A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US11306692B2 publication Critical patent/US11306692B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M35/00—Combustion-air cleaners, air intakes, intake silencers, or induction systems specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
    • F02M35/16—Combustion-air cleaners, air intakes, intake silencers, or induction systems specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines characterised by use in vehicles
    • F02M35/165—Marine vessels; Ships; Boats
    • F02M35/167—Marine vessels; Ships; Boats having outboard engines; Jet-skis
    • F02M35/168—Marine vessels; Ships; Boats having outboard engines; Jet-skis with means, e.g. valves, to prevent water entry

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an outboard engine.
  • an outboard engine that enhances combustion stability during a low-load low-speed operation by promoting vaporization of fuel (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-24898).
  • an on-off valve that closes when an engine operation range is in a low-load low-speed range is provided at an upstream side of the second intake port. Vaporization is promoted by controlling the temperature of the fuel injected from a fuel injection device by opening and closing the on-off valve and switching the intake passage depending on whether the engine operation range is in the low-load low-speed range or in the high-load high-speed range.
  • the present invention is made in view of the above circumstances, and one of objects of the present invention is to provide an outboard engine that can secure performance of an engine and restrain occurrence of malfunction of engine components even under an environment where the outboard engine is covered with water.
  • an outboard engine of the present invention is an outboard engine including an outside air introduction port that is provided in an engine cover covering an engine body and takes in combustion air, a throttle body that feeds the combustion air that is taken in from the outside air introduction port, into the engine body, an intake air guide portion that guides the combustion air from the outside air introduction port, a switching valve disposed partway in the intake air guide portion, an actuator that drives the switching valve, and a control device that controls movement of the actuator, wherein the actuator is disposed at an upper portion of the engine body, a plurality of paths are provided in the intake air guide portion, and a path of the intake air guide portion is made switchable to a long path including a drainage effect to water entering the intake air guide portion and a short path that does not include the drainage effect by the switching valve, and the long path is selected at a time of an engine of the outboard engine being stopped or a time of an operation state where the outboard engine is expected to be covered with water.
  • FIG. 1 is a system configuration of an outboard engine according to a present embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a configuration of an intake duct included by the outboard engine according to the present embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the intake duct and a periphery of the intake duct included by the outboard engine according to the present embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the intake duct and the periphery of the intake duct included by the outboard engine according to the present embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the intake duct and the periphery of the intake duct included by the outboard engine according to the present embodiment
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the intake duct and the periphery of the intake duct included by the outboard engine according to the present embodiment
  • FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a switching condition table of an intake passage in the outboard engine according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a water covering state at a time of backward movement of a ship including the outboard engine of the present embodiment
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart at a time of switching the intake passage of the outboard engine according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of an intake passage of an outboard engine according to a modification of the present embodiment.
  • a first intake passage that has a long flow distance of combustion air and includes a drainage effect, and a second intake passage that has a short flow distance of combustion air and does not include a drainage effect are included, and the intake passage is switched according to whether or not the outboard engine is in an environment where the outboard engine is expected to be covered with water. Specifically, in the environment where the outboard engine is expected to be covered with water, entry of water into the engine is prevented by selecting the first intake passage.
  • FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an outboard engine 1 according to the present embodiment.
  • the outboard engine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 50 that performs control of the entire outboard engine 1 .
  • the control device 50 is configured by including an input circuit 51 , an operation unit 52 configured by a CPU, a RAM and a ROM, a memory 53 , an output circuit 54 , an ignition device 55 , a power supply circuit 56 , and a communication interface (IF) 57 .
  • IF communication interface
  • various kinds of information are inputted from various devices (a detector and a switch) installed inside and outside the outboard engine 1 .
  • a temperature of an engine of the outboard engine 1 a temperature in an engine room, and a temperature of electrical components in the engine room are inputted to the operation unit 52 from a temperature detector 60 via the input circuit 51 .
  • the temperature detector 60 configures an example of a temperature detection unit, and is provided, for example, in an engine body 2 described later.
  • a hull speed measured by a GPS function is inputted to the operation unit 52 from a hull speed detector 61 .
  • presence or absence of water entering the engine room from a water detector (water detection sensor) 62 is inputted to the operation unit 52 .
  • the hull speed from the hull speed detector 61 may be inputted to a communication device 90 communicable with the control device 50 , and may be inputted to the operation unit 52 via the communication I/F 57 .
  • a signal of a cam shaft (cam angle signal) not illustrated of the engine is inputted from a cam shaft signal detector 63 to the operation unit 52 via the input circuit 51 .
  • an engine speed signal is inputted from a crank angle signal detector 64
  • a throttle opening degree is inputted from a throttle opening degree detector 65
  • a throttle opening degree is inputted from a throttle opening degree detector 65
  • intake pressure and atmospheric pressure are respectively inputted from an intake pressure detector 66 and an atmospheric pressure detector 67 respectively
  • an intake air temperature is inputted from an intake air temperature detector 68
  • an engine temperature (cooling water temperature) is inputted from an engine temperature detector 69
  • an exhaust gas temperature is inputted from an exhaust gas temperature detector 70 respectively, to the operation unit 52 .
  • a tilt angle signal of the outboard engine 1 is inputted from a tilt angle detector 71 to the operation unit 52 .
  • a shift position signal is inputted to the operation unit 52 from a shift (neutral) switch 72 provided at a shift device, for example.
  • a stop signal, setting information, and a PTT control signal are inputted respectively to the operation unit 52 from a stop switch (emergency stop switch) 73 , a setting switch 74 and a PTT (power trim tilt) switch 75 .
  • a situation water covering situation to the outboard engine 1
  • an intake passage of an intake duct 4 described later can be selected manually, as will be described later.
  • the operation unit 52 outputs a signal (switching signal) for switching the intake passage of the intake duct 4 described later to an intake passage switching device (hereinafter, also referred to as a “switching device”) 80 .
  • the switching device 80 configures one example of the actuator, and is configured by a drive motor, a solenoid, a diaphragm or the like, for example.
  • the control device 50 controls movement of the switching device 80 .
  • the operation unit 52 outputs fuel injection amount information to an injector 81 , outputs an adjustment signal of an intake air amount to a step motor, a solenoid vale or the like of an air amount adjustment actuator 82 , outputs an engine speed signal and signals that transmit abnormalities of the respective devices to an LED display of a monitor 83 , a buzzer, a tachometer and the like, and outputs fuel supply amount information to a fuel pump 84 , respectively. Further, the operation unit 52 outputs an ignition signal to an ignition coil 85 via the ignition device 55 from the output circuit 54 .
  • the outboard engine 1 performs air intake by switching a pair of intake passages (a first and a second intake passages) provided in the outboard engine 1 in response to a predetermined condition.
  • a configuration of an intake duct having an intake passage of the outboard engine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 .
  • FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a configuration of an intake duct 4 included by the outboard engine 1 according to the present embodiment. Note that FIG. 2 schematically illustrates only an upper side part of the outboard engine 1 that houses the engine body 2 described later.
  • FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 are perspective views of the intake duct 4 and a periphery of the intake duct 4 included by the outboard engine 1 according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 each illustrates the first intake passage with a relatively long flow distance of air of the pair of intake passages
  • FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrates the second intake passage with a relatively short flow distance of air of the pair of intake passages. Note that in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 , an engine cover 3 included by the outboard engine 1 is omitted for convenience of explanation.
  • a front and a rear of the outboard engine 1 are respectively indicated by an arrow Fr and an arrow Rr, and a left and a right of the outboard engine 1 are respectively indicated by an arrow L and an arrow R.
  • the outboard engine 1 includes the engine cover 3 that covers the engine body 2 .
  • the engine body 2 is configured by a water-cooled four-cycle four-cylinder engine in which, for example, a cylinder head, a cylinder block, a crankcase and the like are combined though details of the respective components are not illustrated, and a crankshaft is arranged substantially vertically.
  • a drive shaft is connected to a lower end of the crankshaft, and a bevel gear and a propeller shaft are connected to a lower end of the drive shaft.
  • a drive force of the engine body 2 is configured to be transmitted to a propeller via the crankshaft, the drive shaft, the bevel gear and the propeller shaft, and generate a propulsive force.
  • An outside air introduction port 31 is formed in an upper part at a rear side of the engine cover 3 .
  • the outside air introduction port 31 is a portion for taking in combustion air required for drive of the engine body 2 .
  • the combustion air is taken into the engine cover 3 from outside of the engine cover 3 via the outside air introduction port 31 .
  • the intake duct 4 is provided in a part at an upper side of the engine body 2 and a rear side of the engine body 2 (see FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 ).
  • the intake duct 4 has a hollow shape, and functions as an intake air guide portion that guides the combustion air that is taken in from the outside air introduction port 31 .
  • the intake duct 4 is configured by including a horizontal shape portion (hereinafter, referred to as a “horizontal portion”) 41 , a hanging shape portion (hereinafter, referred to as a “hanging portion”) 42 and a cylindrical portion 43 .
  • the horizontal portion 41 is disposed to extend in a horizontal direction at a side above the engine body 2 .
  • the hanging portion 42 is connected to a rear end portion of the horizontal portion 41 .
  • the hanging portion 42 is connected to a rear end portion of the horizontal portion 41 .
  • the hanging portion 42 is disposed to extend in an up-down direction at a rear side of the engine body 2 .
  • the cylindrical portion 43 is provided to connect to a part at a right side of the horizontal portion 41 .
  • FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 a part of a top surface of the horizontal portion 41 and a part of a top surface of the cylindrical portion 43 are omitted for convenience of explanation. Further, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 , some of components in the intake duct 4 are shown by broken lines.
  • an opening portion 411 is formed in a part of the top surface on a front side (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 ).
  • the opening portion 411 is disposed in a vicinity of a front end portion of the top surface of the horizontal portion 41 .
  • a wall portion 412 extending to an upper side is provided around the opening portion 411 .
  • the opening portion 411 is disposed to face a space at a front side of the outside air introduction port 31 , in the engine cover 3 (see FIG. 2 ).
  • a lower end portion of the hanging portion 42 extends to a vicinity of a lower end portion of the engine body 2 .
  • An opening portion 421 opened to a lower side is formed in the lower end portion of the hanging portion 42 .
  • the opening portion 421 is formed in the entire lower end portion of the hanging portion 42 , but is not limited to this.
  • a single or a plurality of opening portions 421 may be formed in a part of the hanging portion 42 .
  • the cylindrical portion 43 is provided at a part of the front side of the horizontal portion 41 . As illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 , the cylindrical portion 43 has a first cylindrical portion 431 extending in a front-back direction, and a second cylindrical portion 432 connected to a front end portion of the first cylindrical portion 431 and extending in the up-down direction. An opening portion 433 that opens to a rear side is formed in a rear end portion of the first cylindrical portion 431 . An opening portion 434 that opens to a lower side is formed in a lower end portion of the second cylindrical portion 432 . The opening portion 434 is connected to an intake pipe of a throttle body 5 provided in the engine body 2 . The throttle body 5 plays a role of feeding air (combustion air) taken in from the outside air introduction port 31 into the engine body 2 .
  • a wall portion 435 on a left side of the cylindrical portion 43 also serves as a part of a wall portion on a right side of the horizontal portion 41 .
  • an opening portion 436 is formed (see FIG. 5 ).
  • the opening portion 436 has a generally circular shape.
  • the opening portion 436 is configured to be able to allow a space in the horizontal portion 41 and a space in the cylindrical portion 43 (first cylindrical portion 431 ) to communicate with each other.
  • an on-off valve 44 is disposed in the opening portion 436 .
  • the on-off valve 44 configures one example of a switch valve that is disposed partway in the intake duct 4 .
  • the on-off valve 44 has a generally disk shape.
  • An outer shape dimension of the on-off valve 44 is configured to be slightly smaller than an inside diameter dimension of the opening portion 436 .
  • the on-off valve 44 is configured to be able to open and close the opening portion 436 .
  • the on-off valve 44 is provided with a shaft portion 441 that penetrates a center of the on-off valve 44 in the up-down direction. Both end portions (upper and lower end portions) of the shaft portion 441 are axially supported rotatably by a top surface and an undersurface of the horizontal portion 41 .
  • the on-off valve 44 opens and closes the opening portion 436 by rotating (swinging) within a fixed range around the shaft portion 441 based on an output from the aforementioned switching device 80 .
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a state where the on-off valve 44 closes the opening portion 436
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a state where the on-off valve 44 opens the opening portion 436 .
  • the on-off valve 44 can close the opening portion 436 by being located parallel with the wall portion 435 , and can open the opening portion 436 by being located perpendicularly to the wall portion 435 .
  • the switching device 80 that drives the on-off valve 44 is disposed on an engine body 2 side (see FIG. 2 ). By disposing the switching device 80 on the engine body 2 side, wiring for the switching device 80 and waterproofing for the switching device 80 are facilitated.
  • the switching device 80 may be disposed on an engine cover 3 side (for example, an inner wall surface of the engine cover 3 ). However, in this case, attaching and detaching or the like of wiring is required in maintenance or the like of the outboard engine 1 , or a weight of the engine cover 3 itself increases. Therefore, from the viewpoint of working efficiency, it is preferable to dispose the switching device 80 on the engine body 2 side.
  • the intake passage in the intake duct 4 is switched by switching the opening and closing state of the on-off valve 44 .
  • the intake passage of the outboard engine 1 can be switched between the first intake passage formed in the outboard engine 1 by closing the on-off valve 44 , and the second intake passage formed in the outboard engine 1 by opening the on-off valve 44 .
  • the first and the second intake passages formed in the outboard engine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 . Note that in FIG. 2 to FIG.
  • air flowing through the first intake passage is shown by an alternate long and short dash line
  • air flowing through the second intake passage is shown by an alternate long and two short dashes line
  • air flowing through the first and the second intake passages in common is shown by a solid line.
  • the first intake passage will be described.
  • air combustion air
  • the intake duct 4 horizontal portion 41
  • the air entering the horizontal portion 41 flows to the rear side in the horizontal portion 41 , and moves to the hanging portion 42 .
  • the air is released into the engine cover 3 from the opening portion 421 .
  • the air enters the first cylindrical portion 431 from the opening portion 433 after flowing around the engine body 2 , and is fed into an intake pipe of the throttle body 5 via the second cylindrical portion 432 .
  • the air released into the engine cover 3 from the opening portion 421 flows toward the cylindrical portion 43 while cooling electrical components (ignition coil and the like) not illustrated that are attached to the engine body 2 and disposed partway in a flow of the air. Subsequently, the air is fed into the throttle body 5 after flowing into the cylindrical portion 43 while cooling the electrical components and the like. Consequently, the air is fed to the engine body 2 in a state where the air is warmed more than when introduced from the outside air introduction port 31 .
  • the air introduced from the outside air introduction port 31 includes water (water drops and splashes), the water is dropped to a lower side when air is released from the opening portion 421 .
  • the water is drained to outside from a drainage port not illustrated provided in the outboard engine 1 . Consequently, the water included in the air introduced from the outside air introduction port 31 can be prevented from entering the engine body 2 via the throttle body 5 .
  • the second intake passage will be described.
  • the air entering the horizontal portion 41 passes through the opening portion 436 and moves into the cylindrical portion 43 (first cylindrical portion 431 ) without flowing to the rear side in the horizontal portion 41 .
  • the air entering the first cylindrical portion 431 is fed into the throttle body 5 via the second cylindrical portion 432 .
  • the air flows into the cylindrical portion 43 without flowing in the rear side portion of the horizontal portion 41 and the hanging portion 42 . Consequently, the air is fed into the engine body 2 in a state where the air almost maintains a temperature at a time of being introduced from the outside air introduction port 31 .
  • the first intake passage is configured by the horizontal portion 41 , the hanging portion 42 , a part of a space in the engine cover 3 and the cylindrical portion 43 , and therefore, configures a path (long path) with a long air flow distance. Further, since the first intake passage has the hanging portion 42 in a part of the passage, and has a configuration in which the air flow path is reversed, the first intake passage has an effect of draining water that enters the intake duct 4 (draining effect). Furthermore, the first intake passage has the long air flow distance, and therefore includes an effect of reducing an air intake noise using air column resonance or the like (silence effect).
  • the second intake passage is configured by the horizontal portion 41 and the cylindrical portion 43 , and therefore configures a path (short path) with a short air flow distance.
  • the second intake passage is connected to the throttle body 5 via the horizontal portion 41 and the cylindrical portion 43 , and therefore, does not include a drainage effect to the water entering the intake duct 4 .
  • the second intake passage has a short air flow distance, and therefore has an advantage of being able to supply air into the engine body 2 while almost keeping a temperature (outside air temperature) of air introduced into the engine cover 3 . This enhances output of the engine body 2 as compared with a case where combustion air is supplied to the engine body 2 via the first intake passage.
  • the first intake passage and the second intake passage are switched in response to a predetermined condition.
  • the intake passage is switched according to water (water drops) entering the engine cover 3 . Therefore, the water detectors 62 are provided in predetermined positions in the engine cover 3 .
  • the water detectors 62 are disposed in a vicinity of the outside air introduction port 31 .
  • the water detector 62 is provided in a vicinity of a rear end portion of the top surface of the horizontal portion 41 of the intake duct 4 , a position facing the horizontal portion 41 , of an inner wall surface of the engine cover 3 , and a position corresponding to the on-off valve 44 of an undersurface of the cylindrical portion 43 (see FIG. 2 ).
  • FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a switching condition table 700 of the intake passages of the outboard engine 1 according to the present embodiment.
  • the intake passages first and second intake passages
  • the operation unit 52 of the control device 50 switches the intake passage according to information inputted from various devices and registered contents of the switching condition table 700 .
  • the switching condition table 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 is recorded in the ROM of the operation unit 52 , for example.
  • the outboard engine 1 is configured to select the first intake passage (long path) by closing the on-off valve 44 in a steady state, and select the second intake passage (short path) by opening the on-off valve 44 in a case where the engine body 2 needs to output a certain amount of power or more, or the like. Further, the outboard engine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to select the first intake passage (long path) at a time of the engine body 2 being stopped or at a time of an operation state in which the outboard engine 1 is expected to be covered with water. For example, the time of the operation state where the outboard engine 1 is expected to be covered with water includes a time of deceleration from forward movement, a time of shift change to neutral, or a time of backward movement.
  • the first intake passage is selected at the time of the engine body 2 being stopped (Switching condition #1). Likewise, when the shift is set to neutral or reverse (backward movement), the first intake passage is selected (Switching conditions #2 and #3). This is because the outboard engine 1 is expected to be covered with a large amount of water in these cases. Further, when the throttle opening degree and the engine speed are less than specified values, the first intake passage is selected (Switching conditions #6 and #7). This is because it is considered that the engine body 2 does not need to output a predetermined amount of power or more in these cases.
  • the first intake passage is selected (Switching conditions #8 to #10). This is to cool the electrical components and the like to prevent occurrence of failure or malfunction of the electrical components and the like following increase in temperature, in these cases.
  • switching condition #11 This is to prevent occurrence of failure and malfunction of the engine body 2 , the electrical components and the like following entry of the water drop into the engine body 2 , in this case.
  • the first intake passage When the first intake passage is selected by the setting switch 74 , the first intake passage is selected (Switch condition #12). However, even when the first intake passage is selected by the setting switch 74 , the second intake passage is selected when the throttle opening degree is a specified value or more as will be described later. In this case, it is possible to select the intake passage suitable for the operation state of the outboard engine 1 by prioritizing the detection information of the actual device over setting by the operator.
  • the second intake passage When the shift is set to forward (forward movement), the second intake passage is selected (Switching condition #4). Further, when the throttle opening degree is a specified value or more, the second intake passage is selected (Switching condition #5). This is to prioritize enhancement of output of the engine body 2 over the water drainage effect and the cooling effect for the electrical components and the like in these cases. However, when deceleration from forward movement is expected even when the shift is forward, the first intake passage is maintained without being switched to the second intake passage. Further, when the shift is set to neutral and reverse (backward movement) and the engine body 2 is stopped even when the throttle opening degree is the specified value or more, the first intake passage is maintained without being switched to the second intake passage. This is because the outboard engine 1 is expected to be covered with a large amount of water in these cases.
  • FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a water covering state at the time of backward movement of a ship including the outboard engine 1 according to the present embodiment.
  • waves hit a rear surface of the outboard engine 1 and may rise, and fall.
  • the outboard engine 1 may be covered with a large amount of water, and seawater and the like easily enter through the outside air introduction port 31 . Consequently, in the switching condition table illustrated in FIG. 7 , it is registered that the first intake passage is selected when the shift is set to reverse.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart at a time of switching the intake passage of the outboard engine 1 according to the present embodiment.
  • An operation flow illustrated in FIG. 9 is started by the control device 50 (operation unit 52 ) by the operator bringing an ignition key into an on state. Since the engine body 2 is in a stopped state until the ignition key is brought into the on state, the on-off valve 44 is closed and the first intake passage is selected (see Switching condition #1).
  • step (ST) 901 the operation unit 52 determines input of various kinds of information from various devices inside and outside the outboard engine 1 .
  • the operation unit 52 determines input of water detection signals from the water detectors 62 .
  • the operation unit 52 repeats determination in ST 901 .
  • the operation unit 52 advances a process to ST 902 .
  • the operation unit 52 determines whether the switching condition is established based on the information inputted in ST 901 . When the switching condition is not established here (ST 902 : No), the operation unit 52 returns the process to ST 901 , and performs determination in ST 901 again. When the switching condition is established (ST 902 : Yes), the operation unit 52 advances the process to ST 903 .
  • the operation unit 52 determines whether the intake passage (the first or the second intake passage) corresponding to the established switching condition differs from a present intake passage. When the corresponding intake passage is same as the present intake passage (ST 903 : No), the operation unit 52 returns the process and performs determination in ST 901 again. When the corresponding intake passage differs from the present intake passage (ST 903 : Yes), the operation unit 52 advances the process to ST 904 .
  • the operation unit 52 switches the intake passage via the switching device 80 .
  • the operation unit 52 opens the on-off valve 44 , and switches the intake passage to the second intake passage.
  • the operation unit 52 returns the process, and performs determination in ST 901 again.
  • the flow illustrated in FIG. 9 is performed continuously while the outboard engine 1 is in the on state.
  • the plurality of intake passages are provided in the intake duct 4 , the intake passage of the intake duct 4 is made switchable to the first intake passage (long path) including the drainage effect, and the second intake passage (short path) without including the drainage effect by the on-off valve 44 , and the first intake passage is selected at the time of the engine body 2 being stopped or at the time of the operation state where the outboard engine 1 is expected to be covered with water.
  • the water entering the intake duct 4 can be drained, so that a situation where water enters the engine body 2 can be restrained, and performance of the engine body 2 can be secured.
  • the water entering the intake duct 4 is also drained even at the time of the engine body 2 being stopped, it is also possible to prevent the situation where water enters the engine body 2 during maintenance of the outboard engine 1 , and natural disasters (covered with a large amount of water) during mooring, for example. Thereby, damage or corrosion of the components in the engine body 2 can be restrained, and therefore durability of the outboard engine 1 can be secured.
  • the outboard engine 1 is configured such that the water detectors 62 that detect water (water drops, splashes) are disposed in the vicinity of the outside air introduction port 31 , and when water is detected by the water detector 62 , the first intake passage is selected ( FIG. 7 : Switching condition #11). Thereby, the water entering from the outside air introduction port 31 is detected quickly, and the first intake passage can be selected as the intake passage in the intake duct 4 . As a result, even when a water drop enters the engine cover 3 , the situation where a large amount of water enters the engine body 2 can be prevented.
  • the outboard engine 1 is configured to select the first intake passage at the time of deceleration from forward movement, the time of shift change to neutral, the time of backward movement, or the like ( FIG. 7 : Switching conditions #6, #7, #2, #3).
  • FIG. 7 Switching conditions #6, #7, #2, #3.
  • the outboard engine 1 is configured to select the first intake passage when the detection temperatures of the temperature detectors 60 that detect an internal temperature of the engine cover 3 and the like exceed a predetermined temperature ( FIG. 7 : Switching conditions #8 to #10). Since the first intake passage has a longer air flow distance as compared with the second intake passage (short path), the electrical components and the like provided in the engine body 2 can be cooled in the flow process of air, and therefore durability of the electrical components and the like can be improved.
  • the intake passage in the intake duct 4 is made selectable by the setting switch 74 .
  • the outboard engine 1 is configured such that when the operation unit 52 of the control device 50 determines switching to the first intake passage in response to the input information from various devices even when the second intake passage is selected by the setting switch 74 , the determination is prioritized, and the intake passage is switched to the first intake passage (exception of Switching condition #13 illustrated in FIG. 7 ). This can prevent the engine body 2 from being damaged due to erroneous selection of the intake passage or the like by the operator.
  • the first intake passage has the path that temporarily guides the air from the outside air introduction port 31 to a lower part in the engine cover 3 and thereafter feeds the air to the throttle body 5 .
  • the second intake passage has the path that passes the air from the outside air introduction port 31 to above the engine body 2 and feeds the air to the throttle body 5 .
  • the second intake passage is the path for combustion air that enables output exceeding maximum output of the engine body 2 in the first intake passage.
  • the present invention can be carried out by being variously changed without being limited to the above described embodiment.
  • the above described embodiment adopts the configuration in which the shaft portion 441 that passes through the center of the on-off valve 44 in the up-down direction is provided.
  • the configuration of the on-off valve 44 is not limited to this, and can be properly changed.
  • a configuration may be adopted, in which a shaft portion 442 is provided at a rear end portion of the on-off valve 44 , and a front side portion from the shaft portion 442 in the on-off valve 44 is opened and closed to a right side.
  • a state where the on-off valve 44 is opened is shown by a solid line
  • a closed state is shown by a broken line. It is also possible to obtain a similar effect to the effect of the above described embodiment even when the on-off valve 44 is configured like this.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combined Controls Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Control Of Throttle Valves Provided In The Intake System Or In The Exhaust System (AREA)
US17/091,142 2019-11-11 2020-11-06 Outboard engine Active US11306692B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JPJP2019-203739 2019-11-11
JP2019203739A JP2021075167A (ja) 2019-11-11 2019-11-11 船外機
JP2019-203739 2019-11-11

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20210140396A1 US20210140396A1 (en) 2021-05-13
US11306692B2 true US11306692B2 (en) 2022-04-19

Family

ID=75846473

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US17/091,142 Active US11306692B2 (en) 2019-11-11 2020-11-06 Outboard engine

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US11306692B2 (ja)
JP (1) JP2021075167A (ja)

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH1024898A (ja) 1996-07-10 1998-01-27 Sanshin Ind Co Ltd 船外機の吸気装置
US5904604A (en) * 1995-11-28 1999-05-18 Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Watercraft electrical system
US6045421A (en) * 1997-06-24 2000-04-04 Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Component cooling for outboard motor
US20040149241A1 (en) * 2003-02-05 2004-08-05 Suzuki Motor Corporation Outboard motor
US7267591B2 (en) * 2005-06-15 2007-09-11 Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha Outboard motor
US7425163B2 (en) * 2005-09-08 2008-09-16 Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha Outboard motor
US7488227B2 (en) * 2006-05-01 2009-02-10 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Outboard engine unit
US9587601B1 (en) * 2015-09-16 2017-03-07 Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha Outboard motor and watercraft
US9643702B2 (en) * 2013-06-17 2017-05-09 Suzuki Motor Corporation Intake structure of outboard motor

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5904604A (en) * 1995-11-28 1999-05-18 Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Watercraft electrical system
JPH1024898A (ja) 1996-07-10 1998-01-27 Sanshin Ind Co Ltd 船外機の吸気装置
US6045421A (en) * 1997-06-24 2000-04-04 Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Component cooling for outboard motor
US20040149241A1 (en) * 2003-02-05 2004-08-05 Suzuki Motor Corporation Outboard motor
US6964255B2 (en) * 2003-02-05 2005-11-15 Suzuki Motor Corporation Outboard motor
US7267591B2 (en) * 2005-06-15 2007-09-11 Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha Outboard motor
US7425163B2 (en) * 2005-09-08 2008-09-16 Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha Outboard motor
US7488227B2 (en) * 2006-05-01 2009-02-10 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Outboard engine unit
US9643702B2 (en) * 2013-06-17 2017-05-09 Suzuki Motor Corporation Intake structure of outboard motor
US9587601B1 (en) * 2015-09-16 2017-03-07 Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha Outboard motor and watercraft

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2021075167A (ja) 2021-05-20
US20210140396A1 (en) 2021-05-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6015319A (en) Control for marine propulsion
US6217480B1 (en) Engine control
US6302754B1 (en) Outboard motor cooling and exhaust system
US7404293B2 (en) Intake system for supercharged engine
US7089910B2 (en) Watercraft propulsion system and control method of the system
US7647143B2 (en) Speed control device for water jet propulsion boat
US7077713B2 (en) Engine speed control system for outboard motor
JPH1130140A (ja) 船舶用エンジンの制御装置
US7343906B2 (en) Water jet propulsion boat
US6738708B2 (en) Engine speed controller for a marine propulsion engine
US20060258235A1 (en) Outboard motor with cowling
US6474298B2 (en) Idle speed control valve control system
US20040231642A1 (en) Electronic throttle control for watercraft
US6520147B1 (en) Idle speed control valve control system
US6375525B1 (en) Idle speed control valve control system
JP3705390B2 (ja) 船舶用エンジンの制御装置
US11306692B2 (en) Outboard engine
US20050279092A1 (en) Water jet propulsion boat
JP2003120397A (ja) 船舶用内燃機関の逆転防止装置
US20170058744A1 (en) Engine for outboard motor
US6446593B1 (en) Electrical system for marine outboard drive
JPH09151753A (ja) 触媒付き２サイクルエンジン
US7134925B2 (en) Small watercraft with structure inhibiting water from entering engine
JP2002188475A (ja) エンジンの制御装置
US6517394B2 (en) Engine control system for watercraft

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SHOMURA, NOBUYUKI;YAMAZAKI, AKINORI;ISHIZAKI, SHO;REEL/FRAME:054294/0963

Effective date: 20200922

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: APPLICATION DISPATCHED FROM PREEXAM, NOT YET DOCKETED

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: PUBLICATIONS -- ISSUE FEE PAYMENT VERIFIED

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE